Honokohau Harbor Tours

2 Reviews

Steep drop-offs beckon just off Kona’s coast, the dominion of pelagic beasts—marlin and billfish some topping 1,000 lbs. Most journeys to catch one begin the 262-slip marina at Honokohau Harbor, just before the entrance to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. Nearly all of Kailua-Kona’s fishermen, independent sportfish tour operators as well as charter boats departing for scuba sites and popular manta and dolphin snorkeling adventures dock and depart from Honokohau Harbor.

The full-service marina also sports two noteworthy restaurants: Harbor House, a burger and beer joint with views of vessels from their open-air dining room, and Bite Me Fish Market Bar & Grill serving seafood delivered direct from the ocean to their door. ATMs, two full service restroom blocks with hot showers and a convenience store for snacks and sundries round out the facilities here.

Just behind the marina proper, a snaking road ends at a lava rock parking lot with a trail leading to a small beach with decent snorkeling and popular with area dog owners.

Practical Info

Harbor offices are located at 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway and a large sign announces the entrance between mile marker 97 and 98 from Highway 19—it’s three miles north of town and five miles south of the Airport. The Charter Desk, located above the marina’s fuel dock, sells spots on 60 sportfishing boats—expect to pay between $450 and $600 for a half day or $750 and $3,500 for an entire boat’s full-day charter. Most Pacific blue marlin, the big catch here, are reeled in between June and August. Tickets for most other excursions are available from booths in Kailua town. Many popular tourist activities include transport from area hotels or central locations; if they don’t, you’ll need a rental car or taxi to reach the harbor. Note: Restaurants here close between 7 and 9 p.m.

17 Tours and Tickets

Hawaii’s Big Island is home to migrating pods of humpback whales, which often breach as they build up energy for their northward migration. This narrated tour brings you to some of the best viewing grounds via 24-person catamaran. You’ll be able to hear the whales singing through the provided headphones. The tour provider guarantees whale sightings or the next trip is free.

Have a unique Big Island experience snorkeling with manta rays on this 2.5-hour tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll take a short cruise out to the manta site, where you’ll watch the beautiful Hawaiian sunset before dipping into the water to watch the manta rays up close. All necessary equipment will be provided for your excursion, as well as light refreshments and snacks to enjoy on board. Your tour will conclude at its original departure point.

There are few places in all of Hawaii more historic than Kealakekua Bay, as it's the spot where Captain Cook was killed in a skirmish with native Hawaiians, and the Hawaiian monarch, King Kamehameha III was born just a few miles away. The history aside, it's also one of the best places to snorkel on the Big Island of Hawaii, and you'll have the chance to experience the beauty on this snorkeling tour from Kona. Search for dolphins on the way to bay while admiring the volcanic coast, and after scouring the red for coral and fish, climb aboard for a lunch that's served by the friendly crew.

Swim with giant manta rays in their nighttime habitat during this 2.5-hour activity in Kona. Travel out into the seas offshore to watch the colorful Kona sunset, then jump in to swim with the docile rays as they feed on microscopic plankton. Follow your guides around the manta habitat and watch as the animals are attracted to the bright lights, creating a "manta rave" of lights, bubbles and mantas. All snorkel equipment, including flotation devices and wet suits, is included. Manta sightings are guaranteed, or you will be given a voucher for another tour.

Splash into the crystal-clear waters of Kealakekua Bay on this Big Island snorkeling adventure! Dart in and out of sea caves and explore the gorgeous Kona coastline in an agile Zodiac raft. Snorkel among colorful tropical fish, and keep an eye out for other marine life like whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Along the way, learn about the island’s geologic history and local legends from your expert guide, and see the spot where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii.

Enjoy an intimate experience of Hawaii’s marine life and coral reefs on this guided tour from Kona that is limited to a maximum of six people. Aboard a catamaran, take in the sights as you cruise the Hawaiian coast then embark on a snorkeling adventure to see dolphins, coral reefs, lava tubes, trenches, and sea caves. To enrich your experience, your guide shares insights into the flora and fauna that you see.

From the moment you see their silvery backs appear in the cobalt waters, to the moment you're swimming right alongside and hearing their high pitched clicks, there's an enchanting rush of tropical adrenaline that accompanies swimming with dolphins. Here off the Kona coast of the Big Island, Hawaiian Spinner dolphins are year round residents that ply the volcanic shore, and this tour offers local, professional captains who know where to look to find them. In addition to watching and swimming with dolphins, you'll also snorkel with tropical fish in some of Hawaii's clearest water, before returning back to shore in Kona with an experience you'll never forget.

Snorkel in Kealakekua Bay and visit the sea caves during a 3.5-hour aqua adventure from Kailua-Kona. Board a boat in Honokohau Harbor to meet your local captain and crew. With a group of 18 people or fewer, travel to a marine life conservation area in Kealakekua Bay, stopping at a few local landmarks and listening to interesting commentary from your captain on the way. If conditions allow, enter the sea caves, unusual rock formations only accessible by water. Dive in wearing the provided snorkel equipment and look for pods of friendly spinner dolphins, sea turtles and native tropical fish. Lunch, refreshments and use of all snorkeling equipment are included.

To fish or not to fish? That is not even the question. This small-group 4-hour fishing excursion is a gem of an experience just to be out on the water off the coast of Kona. But if you even have a passing interest in fishing, this small-group tour is unforgettable. Learn about the history and culture of the island from the friendly captain and crew and then relax on the boat, fishing pole in hands and wait to see if a marlin, yellow fin tuna, mahimahi or spearfish bite.

Leave the island for an afternoon on this private 4-hour boating and fishing excursion off the stunning Kona Coast. Learn some new fishing techniques, as well as some local tips from the crew and captain, and enjoy the placid experience on the boat. With your complimentary fishing pole in hand, sit back and wait for a blue marlin, striped marlin, yellow fin tuna, bigeye tuna, mahimahi, ono or spearfish to bite. But even if you don't catch the big one, this is a memorable trip for the whole family.

The Kona coastline is an aquatic playground that's filled with possibility, whether it's snorkeling with manta rays, searching for dolphins, or watching whales in winter. For an exclusive, comfortable, and private way to explore the Kona coast, this rugged, catamaran-style boat is perfect for small group excursions—since the itinerary and activities are completely catered to only you and your group. Along with a professional, knowledgeable captain who can recommend fun-filled activities, experience a private charter in Kona that you and a group of up to 24 people are sure to never forget.

Get off the Big Island for 4 hours on this private large-group sport-fishing and boating excursion. Learn some new fishing and angling techniques from the friendly crew. Speak to the captain about boating around the Big Island. Relax in the shady areas or sunbathe in the sunny spots of the boat. Cast your line out and hope to snag a yellow fin tuna, bigeye tuna, blue marlin, mahimahi, spearfish, ono or striped marlin. This is a fun excursion for the whole family.

Enjoy 6 hours out on the water off the Kona Coast on this private chartered fishing and boating excursion. Sit back, relax and drink in the amazing blue scenery or, pole in hands, wait to hopefully catch a big one. All fishing equipment is complimentary so it doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an expert. Not into fishing? Then request a fishing and snorkeling combo which makes for a fun-family excursion.

Explore the Kona Coast with a fishing rod in your hands on this 8-hour private boating and sport-fishing excursion. Great for families, fishing beginners and experts alike, your private boat departs from Honokohau Marina and sets sail around the Big Island. Get equipped with the fishing rod of your choice, learn some new fishing and angling techniques from the friendly captain and crew and then sit back and hope to catch a big one. Combine the fishing trip with a snorkeling adventure to add an extra fun dynamic to the excursion.

Spend the day out on the water off the Kona Coast on this 6-hour, private, large-group boating and sport-fishing excursion. Learn how to fish like a pro, as the captain and crew offer tips and techniques to catching the big one. The waters off the Big Island are swimming with blue marlin, striped marlin, bigeye tuna, ono and spearfish, among many others. Sit on the boat, fishing or just relaxing, and take in the deep-blue view.

Learn how to fish like a pro, whether you're a beginner or already an expert angler, on this private large-group 6-hour charter excursion off the Kona Coast. Get some fishing and angling techniques from the friendly captain and crew and then cast your line out hoping to catch the big one. Snag a bigeye tuna or mahimahi or even a blue marlin and be the envy of the boat. Or just sit back and enjoy the shimmering blue sea on this relaxing half-day excursion off the Big Island.